Do You Know Why Leaves Change Colors in the Fall? Here's What to Know!
Once the crisp air meets the vibrant changing colors of the leaves, one thing becomes certain: Fall has arrived!
Don't get us wrong, we love the bold green leaves of spring and summer, but once those orange and red leaves come about, something in us shifts. Not only does it give us an excuse to drink pumpkin spice lattes and garnish our house with fall decor, but it also means that we'll be breaking out the cutest flannels and sweaters from our wardrobe! And while it's definitely easy to be in awe of autumn and all its' beauty, have you ever pondered on why the leaves change color in the fall?
If we're being honest, there are a few different of reasons why leaves change colors, including which types of trees change colors and when you can expect to see the beautiful transformation. Surprisingly, it doesn't have to do with a specific temperature outside! So, why do we get those vibrant shades of red and gold? We laid out the information you need to know in a way that anyone can understand! Before you head out on that fall foliage road trip, check out these fun facts about why the leaves change colors in fall, and don't forget to share your new knowledge with friends and family!
Why do leaves change colors during fall?
We'll start this off by talking about chlorophyll, the natural element found in green plants which is essentially what gives them their green color. For a quick science class refresher: Chlorophyll is strengthened by the sun, absorbing most of its' energy from the rays, which is what allows it to begin photosynthesis (and keep its green color).
When fall arrives, days typically become shorter, reducing the amount of sunlight hitting the leaves of green plants. Because of this, chlorophyll doesn't receive as much energy, slowing down the photosynthesis process. And since the sun is what gives chlorophyll the energy to keep its' pigment—it goes without saying that with less time in the sun, those colors begin to fade.
According to The Smithsonian, the yellow and orange colors are always in the leaves, but they're masked by green during the warmer weather, so when the temperatures drop, the colors reveal themselves! As for the brilliant red colors, those come about due to a pigment, called anthocyanin, that some trees produce in the fall.
When will the leaves change color in 2023?
It all depends on where you're located, really! But for those in America, we're lucky enough that SmokyMountains.com did the work for us! They've created a fall foliage map that can predict when the leaves will change in your area in 2023.
Head over to the travel-guide site and you'll be able to use its' date selector tool under the map, which allows you to see what the prime timeframe is to experience leaf peeping in your neighborhood.
Do trees turn the same color every fall?
No two autumns are ever the same, but alas, there's a reason for it!
For one, the timing of leaves changing colors heavily depends on the type of tree species. For example, the US Forest Service reported that trees such as sourwood, located mostly within Southern forests, "can become vividly colorful in late summer while all other species are still vigorously green." Going further, they explained that "oaks put on their colors long after other species have already shed their leaves."
Even then, trees of a certain species, weather, and where you're located, all play a role in the changing colors.
At what temperature do leaves change color?
While the Washington Post reports that specific temperature doesn't have much to do with leaves changing colors, we do know that certain weather conditions will effect peak conditions for the fall foliage. "Warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays," according to the US Forest Service.
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